Tonight I am going to party like it's 5770

Today is start of the Jewish New Year.

In my past life (this life), I lived in LA for 8 1/2 years. 

About half of that time I worked in 'the industry,' and the other half I spent studying with healers and teachers, most likely subconsciously purging myself from the former.

In any case, yes, I did take classes at the infamous Kabbalah Center.  During that time, it was the Religion Du Jour to many, but for me, it was also a breath of fresh air.  I took many of its teachings to heart and still apply them to my life on a daily basis.

I respect and appreciate many of my friend's commitment to living a more pious life, but, I myself could not get down with all the rules.

I gave it a real shot, keeping Shabbat for many months, drinking the Kabbalah kool-aid, taking classes, volunteering in the kitchen and dating a rabbi.  

I had some incredible experiences as a result of all of that, (more on that at another time perhaps) but I knew that if I followed that path, I would end up married to the rabbi (who spoke 5 languages and was a world traveler),barefoot and pregnant for two decades with sore nipples, having to wear a wig or shmata everyday, living in different places trying to learn the language and how to work a crockpot, teaching astrology to a cool group of folks, and writing about spirituality.

Now that I think about it, it sounds a little better than it did then, and aside from all the pregnancies, and the hours I might not have had to waste washing my hair and choosing a few more cute wigs, it is not that far off from the life I now live with my Russian husband on the side of a mountain - but I guess I better start the Russian Rosetta Stone and put together an astrology class soon to ensure the parallels.

I still hold my time in what I affectionately called the Kabbalah circus dear (now realizing that most everyone I know lives in some kind of a circus anyway.)

I seem to remember that Kabbalah teaches us that each holiday explains, represents and correlates with our internal soul, and allows us to connect with the enegy that we need to heal the parts of ourselves that might have been damaged along the way.

Rosh Hashana allows us the opportunity to go back to our 'original state', and connect to the most pure part of ourselves.  Shana reminds us of 'shinui' meaning change.  Tikkun Olam- change the world by changing yourself.

Self-unity spreads to those around you.

Or perhaps it is just easier to say; go write your new years resolutions and party like its 5770.